Neighborhood Kids INFO
What Is Neighborhood Kids?
Neighborhood Kids is a family-values-based preschool concept rising from a single seed planted in Wellington, Florida, in 1978. After taking root as a community preschool serving many of the working-class families in the area, it began to grow by adding a second location in 1986. Since then, Neighborhood Kids has blossomed into a stalwart, faith-inspiring early childhood education organization, having a generational impact on area families, many of whose parents were once students themselves and are now eager to enroll their own children in the preschools that founded them.
In 2019, Frank Toral acquired the preschools and initiated a rebranding to strengthen their philosophical approach. Uniforms and meal plans were incorporated along with a faith-based curriculum and a new parent engagement program.
With these resources, the schools have opened the door for parents to engage more fully with their children throughout the day. Parents take advantage of opportunities, such as enjoying photos and multiple other check-ins during school hours. The schools curate an environment wherein students learn core academic skills along with family values grounded in a satisfying and traditional spiritual philosophy.
What Makes Neighborhood Kids Unique?
Toral explains, “You can go down the list of the top 10 preschool franchise brands in America, and none of them include the element of faith as a basis for their program.” As more and more parents look to provide their children access to education with foundational family values, Neighborhood Kids fulfills that goal with a learning environment much different from those at other preschools. Neighborhood Kids maintains a safe, welcoming, and encouraging learning experience where staff and environment both continually remind children that they are loved and have purpose.
“More and more, for children’s formative years,” Toral points out, “parents elect to have their kids in a private, faith-based environment to allow them the strength that foundation affords.”
Why You?
Neighborhood Kids offers people interested in potentially becoming a franchise owner an excellent opportunity for a new beginning. Before becoming involved with the brand, Toral himself had a successful law practice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for over two decades. “I’m still a licensed attorney in Florida,” he explained, “but my heart’s direction changed when I recognized God drawing our family toward a different purpose.”
Toral and his wife left the city they had lived in for years—the town where their children were born and where all their friends and relationships were. After moving to Palm Beach County and launching a nondenominational church, the Torals chose to acquire the preschools in Wellington to provide further support to the families of the church.
“So, for me, it was a sense of purpose, and that’s what we’re offering. We’re looking for purpose-driven business owners and professionals with proven leadership experience in the marketplace,” Toral said. “The fit is perfect for somebody who has an adventurous spirit and is willing to learn and grow and especially for someone who wants to significantly impact their community for years to come.”
Why Neighborhood Kids?
Christian preschools everywhere operate at capacity with long waiting lists. More and more parents are interested in enrolling their children in faith-based programs, and Neighborhood Kids has, as Toral explains, “an intentional commitment to transforming our culture.”
As the brand continues to expand, it provides flexibility to its franchisees, allowing for locations in second-generation spaces, such as standalone buildings and strip malls, and in existing churches. “To my knowledge,” Toral said, “no early childhood education franchise brand in America currently operates inside churches. But we know that concept works because that's how we've grown our corporate locations from two to five.”
Coupling this flexibility and commitment to culture, Neighborhood Kids presents as a franchise brand with a true community aspect. Both within the franchise network and among the community members they serve, Neighborhood Kids continues to embrace God-honoring education while providing a connected, caring, and effective preschool experience.
How Much Does it Cost?
Two investment models exist from which franchise owners may choose. They can either lease space within an existing church or build a more traditional space in a shopping center or standalone business.
The total investment to establish a Neighborhood Kids within an existing church ranges from $374,833 to $733,944, including a $70,000 franchise fee, training, advertising, and more. The investment to establish a standalone Neighborhood Kids location ranges from $1,995,371 to $2,635,156.
“The initial investment and total cost of the pre-existing facility lease program may realize significant cost savings over competitors because the model requires very little build-out,” explains Toral. “Our permanent lease program is comparable to competitors, though the cost may also be less considering the total square footage required is relatively smaller as well.”